An exploration of the mind and body through the healing medium of water, using yoga, meditation and the techniques of elite free-divers.
Just as mind and body are connected by the breath so our aquatic training and dry yoga training shall be tied by the thread of the breath.
This very special retreat is a journey of self discovery through two related elements, water and air. It’s a journey during which we will re-discover our aquatic heritage and transform our relationship to water, deepening our awareness of our own minds and bodies and the invisible bridge between them, the breath
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The tools for this adventure in self-understanding are the ancient insights of yoga and meditation supplemented by the modern techniques of elite free-divers.
We will practise yoga asana, pranayama and meditation to come into the subtler aspects of the breath and we’ll use techniques of elite free-divers to harness our aquatic potential. This is not a competitive free-diving course and the free-diving aspect of the retreat is completely optional.
Asana
Our Asana practice will focus on exploring the qualities of stillness and motion and on opening up the channels of the body to move in a more fluid way. In held poses we’ll find the subtle movement even in supposedly static asana. And in flowing vinyasa we will explore the inner stillness that comes with breath awareness and Bhandas(psycho-muscular locks .)
Breath
The breath is the bridge between mind and body, the conscious and the unconscious. To develop control over the mind and body first we must understand and control the breath.
Using the know-how of elite free-divers we will also learn how to access the breath in new ways. We will learn about the physiology of the breath and learn how use that to influence the mind and body, transforming our relationship with water.
After tuning into the physical breath explore subtler aspects of the breath, with the use of Asana and meditation we’ll tune into the breath as energy and move towards the healing power of Pranyama, the vast science of the cultivation of Pranic energy.
Water
We’ll take our fresh understanding of the breath into the healing medium of water. All terrestrial life was born in the ocean, just as we are born in the waters of our mother’s womb. When we understand our latent aquatic ability and learn to be in water it’s with a sense of home-coming or reunion. It is this sense of inner union that is the essence of yoga. Essentially what we will be practising is a form of oceanic yoga.
The training offered will include;
Daily asana practice,
Aquatic and dry meditation,
Breath-work,
Mantra meditation,
An exploration of the Chakra system and the second Chakras relationship to water.
Bhandas (psycho-energetic locks)
Pranayama (energy cultivation through the breath)
Training in some of the techniques used by Elite free-divers.
Two days Optional extra training in free-diving techniques and a trip to Tulamben to free-dive on the the ‘USS Liberty wreck’
In Villa Boleh we have a special place to embark on this adventure, a wonderful Spa resort with three different pools, including a therapeutic Watsu pool. Just in front of our sanctuary we have our oceanic playground. Little current, rich waters and good visibility make this the perfect place for to enjoy newly re-discovered aquatic heritage.
Also on hand will be the well-respected and highly experienced Thai massage teacher and healer Felicity Keebaugh. She will be offering health assessments and therapeutic treatments in various healing forms including Thai massage and Ki nei san, a very powerful Taoist healing art.